Better Business / Member interview
“A better Bristol comes from a willingness to change, to learn and to grow together”
As one of the principal Directors of KPA Property Management, Angie Nicholls is responsible for growth, both from a corporate and a person centred perspective and, as a business operating in a strong team model and an environment of dynamic meritocracy, this is something that she feels very passionately about. As a former licensed counsellor and psychotherapist, Angie is a self-confessed people’s person, so making sure that the team’s growth is on the same trajectory as the business’ growth, is a very personal imperative for Angie!
What inspires you to get up in the morning and go to work?
Being part of a multi-generational family business, whose story began in 1948, I consider myself to be extremely fortunate, as I get to work with some of the people who I love most in the world, every day. Running multiple companies, as part of the KPA Group, in different market sectors, we are working together to create a legacy for generations to come. As we grow, develop and innovate together, it feels very personal. We have put together a one of a kind team of excellence and, with no apologies for how cheesy this sounds, I have the very best inspiration every single day and it doesn’t often feel like “work” in the traditional “toil” sense.
What does a better Bristol mean to you?
Being born and bred in London, Bristol is a constant pleasant surprise to me. I love Bristol, it has really crept under my skin over the years. To me it’s a friendly place of acceptance, a community of very different people, from very different backgrounds, coming together and learning from each other. It’s a place where people still stop and talk to strangers on the street and where, if you were to ask directions, the chances are that someone would stop what they were doing and take you there. A better Bristol comes from a willingness to change, to learn and to grow together. It starts with an open heart and ears ready to listen and for good people to roll up their sleeves and get involved, together!
If you could pick one thing to change in Bristol what would it be?
Bristol’s homeless and child poverty issues are things that I would change. In a thriving and financially buoyant city like Bristol, there should be no place for these to exist.
How do you feel you as an individual can make a difference?
Individuals can make a huge difference. The challenge is in choosing the right vehicles for your time and energy. When you do find them and you find like minded individuals to work alongside, amazing things can be achieved – to be in a position to make a real difference, in a city that you call home, it’s a real win/win is that!
What do you think is the biggest strength of Bristol’s business community (including private, public and third sector)?
The biggest strength is Bristol’s sense of wider community. We have so many businesses, from disparate market sectors, across the city, with a desire to come together for the greater good of the community, to see it grow and thrive and to encourage others to pull together to do the same. If we can harness this, then we can do great things – and this really excites me!
What do you want to see from the Bristol business community over the next five years?
Over the next 5 year period I’d like to see the Bristol business community pull together, to help tackle the problems facing the city. We have some of the most amazing talent in Bristol, let’s put it to work for the benefit of the community as a whole and let’s make what is already a pretty great city in my opinion, even greater!
What is your biggest ambition, personally, and for the city as a whole?
My personal ambition is for KPA to be the largest HMO specialist management agency in Bristol and to have the name KPA associated with a fair, equitable and enjoyable rental experience, whether that be landlords, tenants or trades that we work with. The industry needs shaking up, it needs to be better!
For Bristol to be a place where quality of life is valued, a place of vibrancy, a friendly place where everyone is valued, where everyone has opportunities and where everyone can prosper!
Main photo: KPA Property Management
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